Political parties may get fresh opportunity to consolidate their voter base

DELIMITATION OFTEN CARRIES POLITICAL OVERTONES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE RULING PARTY IN THE STATE HAS A STAKE IN THE LOCAL BODY

- HT Correspondent

PUNE: With the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) set to redraw its ward boundaries ahead of the upcoming civic elections, political maneuvering has already begun. The delimitation exercise—necessitated by the merger of 34 villages into civic limits over the past seven years and the recent demerger of Uruli Devachi and Phursungi—especially in the suburbs has triggered concerns about political interference in the redrawing process.

According to senior officials, several aspirants and political leaders are actively lobbying for ward boundaries to be redrawn in ways that could better their electoral prospects. "There is growing pressure to shape ward boundaries in favor of specific candidates. The process is being closely watched by political leaders," said a senior PMC official, requesting anonymity.